Ilia Topuria does not hold back responding to Max Holloway after fiery back-and-forth since UFC 300

Holloway had called out the Spaniard after his UFC 300 win. The Hawaiin fighter called Topuria’s record questionable, lacking any substantial title defenses at all. Hence, the featherweight champ fired back, promising to finish Holloway when they fight. Moreover, Brian Ortega has entered the conversations for a title shot if Topuria and Holloway continue to disagree over the terms of their title fight.

Barring Volk and Holloway, Brian ‘T-City’ Ortega is the #3 ranked featherweight after a fresh win at UFC Mexico City. Hence, Topuria sneered back by offering Ortega the featherweight title shot. Topuria recently told Ariel Helwani that he might make his maiden defense at UFC 306 (Noche UFC 2), surprising fans. Fighting Ortega (Hermosillo, Mexican descent) now remains likely, considering UFC 306 coincides with the celebrations of Mexican Independence Day.

Ilia Topuria takes a dig; Max Holloway inspires unusual MMA promotion bonus

Current featherweight champ Ilia Topuria and Max Holloway have engaged in quite a to-and-fro. These past few days have seen both fighters throwing shades upon each other’s achievements and accolades. Holloway (26-7 MMA, 22-7 UFC), the former champ, is currently the BMF titleholder that Topuria yearns for.

On the other hand, the Spaniard is undefeated at 15-0 MMA, 7-0 UFC, and is surging in popularity. Banking upon a growing rivalry, Topruia recently took to his IG account and poked fun at the rival. The imagery in his IG Stories shows Holloway’s bloodied-up face, thus downplaying his BMF status.

Notwithstanding this, ‘El Matador’ might be the only one in his harsh judgment of the Hawaiian fighter. Levels Fight League (LFL) of the Netherlands has implemented a “Max Point Throwdown” bonus. Holloway inspires the $5,000 bonus purse, which can be earned anytime a fighter “initiates by pointing to the center of the ring” to trade blows.

So, instead of a last-ditch attempt, the Dutch MMA promotion has turned Holloway’s knockout into something thematic. LFL hopes this will audaciously generate some interesting highlight knockout reels inspired by Holloway. All in all, his UFC 300 knockout has garnered much traction amongst fans and pundits.